Chapter Text
I
Señora
“Mamá, why must Benito’s mother call you señora, but you call her Manuela?” Diego had been thinking about this.
“To show respect,” Isabela answered simply.
“You don’t call her señora back,” Diego pointed out.
“We have different roles. The landowners take care of the peons, educate and protect them, so they give us more respect. Since we take care of them, we call them by their names as if they’re our friends or children.”
“It’s not very fair.”
“Most things in our society aren’t fair, mijo. Those of us who have power must use it for the good of all.”
II
Riding Lessons
Isabela leaned on the paddock fence watching Diego ride as Alejandro held the horse’s lead. He looked so little out there on the horse, a fly on the back of the steed.
As the horse passed where she stood Diego whipped his hat off his head in salute.
Isabela laughed and waved back. Already her little boy was quite the charmer. She was certain he would be popular with the ladies when he was older. She caught Alejandro’s eye and she could see the same thought was on his mind.
Isabela sighed contentedly, wishing she could preserve this moment forever.
III
Chess
“Your move.”
Isabela scrutinized the board. She nudged her pawn forward a square.
Diego frowned, concentrating. Isabela watched to see if he could figure it out. He moved his castle three places, protecting his king.
Isabela smiled with approval. “You are learning this game well, mijo.”
“Papá has been teaching me.” Diego gave her the gap-toothed grin of a seven year old.
Isabela prodded her queen down the board diagonally. “Check.”
Diego’s hand floated over the board, he finally settled on his knight. “I take your queen.”
Isabela pushed her pawn one square. “Never forget the little guy, check mate.”
IV
Reading Lesson
Isabela and Diego sat together on the sofa in the library. Diego carefully sounded out words as he read a passage from the book on his lap.
“Mamá?” Diego looked up at her.
“Yes, dear?”
“This book is very boring.”
Isabela tried to suppress a grin. “You think so?”
He nodded.
“But you must learn to read.”
“Can I learn to read some other way? Maybe if you read to me instead.”
Isabela shook her head. “No. You must do the work yourself.”
Diego sighed heavily.
“I’ll tell you what, you may pick any book you wish to read from.”
V
Partings
“Are you ready, Diego?” He was sitting on the steps to the mezzanine, chin in hand.
“I think so, Mamá.” He wasn’t his chipper self.
Isabela sat on the step next to him. “Are you worried about going to San Pedro with your father?”
“I’ve never been away from the hacienda overnight.”
Isabela smiled, it was quite a milestone for a small boy. “Are you scared?”
He nodded.
“Give me your hands.”
He held out his hands. She took them and kissed both palms, then pressed his hands together. “A prayer for us that you will return to me soon.”